Monday, January 31, 2011

Hello Monday morning! How was your weekend? Ours disappeared in a whirl of this'n that. I snuck out Friday night for scrummy pizza and prosecco with a few friends, and on Saturday we dined en famille at our favourite local Cafe Mingo - yum! And now it's Monday morning and it's the usual round of sorting out, tidying up, and organising that is increasingly needed after having three boys home for several days. I hope you had a lovely weekend and that all is well in your neck of the woods - here's a belated what:nots from last week.

I love this description of Taiaamai from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. From what I can gather Taiaamai (or Taiamai) is the original Maori name for part or all of New Zealand's Bay of Islands. Either way it's a pretty amazing part of New Zealand, and this sign sums it up perfectly!Image by me.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

On my to see list is Vincent Ward's latest film which documents the story of Puhi, an aged Maori woman and Niki, her dependant son. Here's a wee synopsis - The world they occupy in not a world of large events but the rituals of everyday life, traditions and interdependence. Filmed over a period of one and a half years, it emerges as a rare, haunting and powerful portrayal of their life together. This is the story of their rituals and of their survival. The small and disconnected instances that we encounter form a lone vision of the rifts and the bond between an old woman and her disturbed son.Image and synopsis from Vincent Ward Films.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Woohoo the first what:nots for 2011...albeit later than planned! How was your week? I hope it was just dandy. We are slowly getting back into our routine after our Christmas hols, R arrived home yesterday from a week in China, school applications are underway, we've started looking for new digs in Portland (exciting), I'm back to riding, and February is looming over the horizon! I hope your new year is off to a stellar start - thank you so much for stopping by - your comments always make my day :) Here's a New Zealand themed what:nots...

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The boys and I arrived back home a day or so ago and despite the jet-lag, and the rain, it's lovely to be back. I hope your week is pottering along - thank you for hanging in there while I've been away - things will be back on track here starting tomorrow - promise. And I've booked in a big chunk of time to catch up on my much-neglected blog reading!Image taken from our stay at Kahu i te Rangi in Raglan, New Zealand - sublime.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Happy New Year! I hope the new year is off to a good start in your neck of the woods. We are leaving our little piece of paradise early tomorrow and heading to Raglan for a few days, then we're off over to meet up with my family for a week by the Lake. I have been collecting bits and bobs to post and promise to be back into the swing of things in just over a week - see you then!ps: I know the snow is a little incongruous with the beach image - but I thought I'd keep it for just a wee bit longer.Image taken at Takou Bay, Northland - only accessible by boat and completely deserted - bliss!